What does the park do?
The primary role of the lion education centre revolves around the white lions that are bred on-site. White lions are already extinct in the wild and their survival depends on centres like this one.
The centre also educates the general South African public about Africa's indigenous animals by creating environments as close to their natural habitats as possible and providing informative tours around the park. Guests can even interact with the selected hand-reared cubs in a monitored environment and are guaranteed to see many of Africa's biggest predators, as well as its many herbivores.
Why does the project need volunteers?
The centre is approximately 208 hectares and each camp is between three and five hectares. With so many animals and this much land, the park requires a lot of maintenance and management. Lion cubs alone are demanding and need feeding every few hours in their first few months.
Your role as a volunteer
You will spend 9 straight days/ 10 nights, working at the park from 8am to 5pm/6pm, the volunteers help in daily tasks such as feeding, cleaning and exercising the animals, especially the lion cubs. Volunteers can get involved showing visitors around the centre and take school groups around the lion centre supervising their interaction with the cubs. Like the majority of park staff, volunteers will be expected to do general maintenance work around the centres and help the with cleaning duties. Typical tasks include:
Cleaning animal enclosures and waterholes
Making wash bottles
Helping feed cubs/pups
Cleaning the nursery
Giraffe duty
General reserve tasks including plant control, fencing and maintenance
Touch a cub – assisting staff letting the public in the cub enclosures.
After volunteering at the centre you will then have the opportunity to see South Africa's animals in the wild. You will be transferred to Pretoria backpackers and have three nights here where you will go on a one day tour including a trip to Hartebeespoort Dam with a visit to the Chameleon Craft Market (a great place to pick up some African Handicrafts as it is the biggest centre in Africa!). After the market you will drive through rural South Africa to Pilanesburg national Park where you will enjoy a picnic and afternoon looking for the big 5 in the wild, taking photos and visiting waterholes frequented by hippos! You'll then have a day off in Pretoria to pick up last minute presents before flying back home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation: Shared luxury tents at project; shared hostel on tour
- Food: Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately $US50 per week)
- Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
- Training: In-country orientation
- Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Volunteering
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